The Internet and Health Infographic

The Pew Research Center conducted a September 2012 health survey, exploring how U.S. adults are using the internet and digital technology as tools related to health and healthcare. With the rising healthcare costs, more and more people will be turning to the internet and online resources to try and figure out what they have. The trick is to find reliable and credible sources for your research and health tracking.  Here are some of the main points of the survey:

— 59% of US adults have looked online for health information in the past year.

— 35% of US adults say they have used the internet to try to figure out what medical condition they or another another may have. They are known as “online diagnosers”

— 53% of online diagnosers talked with a clinician about what they found online.

— 41% of online diagnosers had their condition confirmed by a clinician.

— 60% of US adults say they track their weight, diet, or exercise routine.

— 30% of internet users have consulted online reviews or rankings of healthcare services or treatments.

Source: Pew Research Center

Are you part of the 59% of US adults that have looked online for health information in the past year? Let us know how you use the internet in regards to health in the comments below.